The NHL now considers the matter “officially closed.” It will not participate in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The league wanted a concession from the International Olympic Committee, International Ice Hockey Federation or the NHL Players’ Association to entice owners and officials to take a break in its season to accommodate the Olympics for a sixth straight time dating to 1998.
The NHL made clear for months its stance — it would not break for the Olympics if the status quo didn’t change.
Which led to Monday’s statement, in full:
“We have previously made clear that, while the overwhelming majority of our clubs are adamantly opposed to disrupting the 2017-18 NHL season for purposes of accommodating Olympic participation by some NHL players, we were open to hearing from any of the other parties who might have an interest in the issue (e.